Power drive device for washing machines



Oct. 20, 1931 R. J. WATERWORTH POWER DRIVE DEVICE FOR WASHING MACHINES Filed llarh 13, 1930 3 Sheets-SQeet 1 [MEN-ran I ROBERT J. Wu rmwomn,

Arramvsrs Oct. 2 0, 1931. R. J. WATERWORTH 1,828,007 POWER DRIVE DEVICE FOR WAS HING MACHINES Filed March 13, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNvEN TOR Rosam- JTWATER WORTH,

r JMM Oct. 20, 1931. R. J. WATERWORTH 1,823,007

POWER DRIVE DEVICE FOR WASHING MACHINES Filed March 13, 1950 3 Sheds-Sheer} llwmrron ROBERTIWATERWORTH,

Patented Oct. 20, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

COMPANY, INC., OF SIDNEY, OHIO, A CORPORATION rowan DRIVE-DEVICE non WASHING Machines Application filed March 13, 1930. Serial No. 435,443. v

This invention relates to improvements in power drive devices for washing machines, and has for its object to provide an improved connection between the motive power and the driven shaft for operating the wash ng machine.

It is particularly the object of this invention to provide a flexible shaft connection between :1 driving shaft and a driven shaft, and to mount this flexible connectionin such a way that it can be easily removed from the driven shaft and from the driving shaft, and mav be easily located upon these shafts, and when so located is securely attached thereto for operating the washing machine from the motor and the motor shaft. By this invention there is eflected a direct drive from the motor to the driven shaft of the washing machine, and the use of belts is avoided and a consequent danger of the belt slipping and breaking is done away with.

It is also an object of this invention to support the motor end of the flexible shaft on the motor frame so that any vibration'or up and down or lateral movements of the motor are transmitted to that end of the drive, and

will not interfere with the proper operation of the flexible shaft and the operation of the driven shaftfi.

It is my object to provide means to allow the engine to vibrate freely while not affecting the flexible shaft and its couplings as a bracket holds the shaft within the range of such vibration.

These and other advantages will appear from the description taken in connection with the drawings.

Figure 4 is a View showing a shortshaft attached to a gear for operating the washer.

dolly, to one end of which shaft theflexible shaft shown in Figure 3 is to beattached.

Figure 5 is a section on the .line 5.5 of Figure 3. I m

In Figure 1 there is shown a washing inachine and its operating mechanism assembled. The frame, which is substantially rectangularin shape, is indicatedv by the numeral 1 and has four radially extending arms which carry supporting rollers 2 on the outer ends thereof. Upon this frame is supported a chassis 3, circular in shape. This chassis is supported on the frame by means of brackets 4 attached to the frame adjacent each roller. Supported on the chassis is the usual tub 5.

Extending upwardly from the bottom of the tub, which has a central hole therein, is a dolly pedestal 6, which has pivotally mounted on the top thereof a dolly 7 For the purpose of operating and rotating the dolly there is a vertical shaft 8 extending up through the center of the tub, to which the dolly is attached. On this shaft 8 is a'gear 9 by which the shaft is rotated and with it the dolly.

Suitably attached to the frame is a motor 10. This motor is resiliently supported on the frame by means of bosses 10a, bolts 10b and springs 9a surrounding the bolts 106, so that it may have a reasonable amount of yielding movement on its support. The motor has a shaft 11 for power transmission purposes. This motor is a gas motor and is started by means of a foot treadle 12. On the motor shaft there is a flywheel 13. The chassis has attached thereto by bolts 14 a housing 14 for inclosing a worm gear 15; In this housing there is located a vertical shaft 16 on which there is the worm gear 15. 4 This shaft also has on it a crank 17 from which a pitman 18" extends to a quadrant 20. The pitman 18 is pivoted to the crank by means of a pin 19. The quadrant 20 is pivoted to the frame at the point 21 for a limited amount of swing-. ing movement thereabout. The end of the pitman remote from the crank '17 is pivotally attached to the quadrant by means of a pivot 'pin 22. The rotation of the worm gear causes the pitman to move backward and forward and to oscillate the quadrant 20.

The outer periphery of the quadrant has teeth 23 meshing with the teeth on the gear 9 so that when the quadrant moves backward and forward it rotates the shaft 8 backward and forward and carries with it the dolly so that the contents of the bowl are thoroughly stirred and agitated by means of the backward and forward rotation or partial rotation of the dolly shaft and the dolly thereon. For the purpose of operating the gear 15 there is a worm shaft 24 which meshes with the teeth on the gear 15. This shaft may be termed the driven shaft by which the dolly shaft is caused to oscillate. The worm on the wormshaft is indicated by the numeral 25.

There is provided between the frame and the. chassis a lubricant and gear chamber 26. This chamber is continuous with the housing 14 and forms with the housing 14 a larger chamber or housing in which the operating gears-for the transmission of power to the washer-are located, and in this chamber or housing there is a lubricant so that the parts therein are thoroughly lubricated. The motor shaft 11 and the driven shaft 24 are operatively connected by means of a flexible shaft. This shaft is partially shown in Figure 3. The outer casing or armor of this shaft is indicated by the numeral 27 and has on, each end a bearing 28. This bearing has on one end thereof, in line with the central opening therethrough, a shank 29 which fits around the end of the armor and is pressed thereto so that the armor is firmly held to the bearing.

Attached to each of the shafts 11 and 24 is a coupling 30 which has extending therefrom a spindle 31. Extending through each coupling and spindle is a longitudinal opening or hole. This hole is enlarged at one end to form a socket for receiving the end of either of the shafts, while the other end is partially enlarged to receive the end of the flexible shaft. The part of this hole between the two sockets is somewhat reduced and smaller than either of the sockets, and receives a squared and reduced end of the flexible shaft. The outer or larger socket that receives the shafts 11 and 24 is indicated by the numeral 32, while the other or flexible shaft socket is indicated by the numeral 33, and the reduced opening between these two sockets is indicated by the numeral 34.

Extending through the armor and beyond the ends thereof is a flexible shaft member in the form of a coiled spring, as shown in Figure 3. Figure 3 shows a partial section of this shaft. Both ends-of this shaft are identical so that any description which applies to the end of the shaft, as shown in Figure 3, applies equally to the other end of the shaft not shown. Each end of the flexible shaft has embedded therein some suitable material to make the ends solid, which is then cut down in the form of a square 36,

as indicated in Figure 5. This squared end of the flexible shaft fits into the connection or reduced part between the sockets 32 and 33 in the coupling.

Extending into the hole formed in the socket are openings to receive screw plugs. One plug 37 is' used to attach the coupling to one of the shafts 11 or 24. while the other plug the housing 26 there is a bearing housing 39,

which has therein suitable bearing and lubricating means so that the shaft is properly lubricated. The shaft adjacent the housing on one end is formed into a shoulder for thrust purposes, and on the other end of the shaft is a thrust collar 40. By this means the shaft 24 is prevented from longitudinal movement so that whenever the shaft rotates the worm 25 engaging the teeth of the gear 15 causes the gear to rotate and move the pitman 18 back and forth longitudinally to operate the quadrant 20. If it were not for the thrust provided in connection with the housing 39 the positive and effective rotation of the gear 15 could not be accomplished.

It is also noted, in connection with Figure 4 and the housing 39, that suitable lubricant means and means for distributing the lubricant are provided. The end of the shaft'beyond the worm from the housing 39 is also provided with a bearing, in which there is located means for the distribution of the Inbricant. The thrust collar 40 is held upon the shaft 24 by means of a screw plug 41 so that this plug may be adjusted to take up any wear or lost motion.

The flexible shaft adjacent the end thereof attached to the shaft 24 is supported by a bracket 42 attached to the chassis 3. The other end of the flexible shaft is supported by a bracket 43 attached to the gas engine or motor. Since the bracket that supports the motor end of the shaft is attached to the motor and has whatever movements the motor has, the whole of the part of the shaft attached to the motor moves with and as the motor does, and since the shaft is flexible this movement does not interfere with or in any way disturb the operation of the worm and the worm gear attached to and-located adjacent the other end of the flexible shaft.

It is also to be noted that the end of the shaft adjacent the worm gear 15 is rigidly supported by means of a bracket on the chassis so that this end of the flexible shaft is held against motion in relation to the gearing. It is obvious that only that part of the flexible shaft between these two brackets 42 and 43 will have independent, free movement. The part of the shaft adjacent the structure to which it is attached is affixed to or has the motion of the part to which it is attached. Each of the bearings 28 and 39 is provided with a lubricant chamber 44 for the purpose of lubricating the shafts or spindles rotating in the bearings.

From an examination of the'structure as shown in Figure 3 it will be apparent that the only thing necessary to remove the flexible shaft from the driven or driving shaft is to remove the screw plug 37, after which the coupling can be removed from these shafts. If it should be desired to let the couplings remain on the shafts 11 and 24 the plug 38 can be removed so that the ends of the flexible shaft/may be removed from the coupling and the spindle. By this means the parts may be separated, a new bearing 38 may be substituted for the old bearing, a new connection and spindle may be substi tuted for the old one, and a new flexible shaft may be substituted for the old one. Each of these parts is easily separated from the others and easily placed back in .operating position, requiring a minimum of exertion and a minimum of time, and when properly located in operative position the apparatus is very eflicient for transmitting power from the drivin shaft to the driven shaft for the purpose 0 operating the washing machine.

The motor being supported on the frame in a resilient-manner and the connection between the motor and the operating gear being by means of-a flexible shaft, the whole apparatus runs without one part interfering with the operation of another part, and without the motion or vibration of the motor being transmitted to the driving mechanism that operates the 'washer and causes the dolly to oscillate backwards and forwards.

I desire to comprehend Within my invention such modifications as may be clearly embraced within my claims and the scope of my invention. Having thus fully described'my invention, what I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: 1 1. In a power drive device, a flexible shaft, a coupling on each end of the shaft, each coupling having in one end a shaft-receiving socket and on the other end a spindle and socket to receive one end of the shaft, an armor forsaid shaft terminating short of the ends of the shaft, and a bearing attached to each end of the armor to rotatably support the spindle of the coupling on the adjacent end of the shaft.

2. In a power drive device, a flexible shaft, a coupling on each end of the shaft, each coupling having in one end a shaft-receiving socket and on the other end a spindle and a socket to receive one end of the shaft, means to removably hold each coupling on the shaft, an armor for said shaft terminating short of the ends of the shaft, and a bearing attached to each end of the armor to rotatably support the spindle of the coupling on the adjacent end of the shaft.

3. In a power drive device for washing machines, a frame supporting a tub and an oscillatable dolly therein, a rotatable worm gear operatively connected to the dolly for oscillating the dolly, a worm shaft engaging the worm gear, a power shaft supported by said frame, a flexible shaft having at each end a socket to fit over the end of the power shaft and the end of the worm shaft and screw to fasten the ends of said flexible shaft to said power shaft and to said worm shaft so that they will rotate together.

4. In combination, an engine resiliently supported, a frame to support the engine, a flexible shaft fastened to the engine, means to support the shaft on the frame so as to permit it to move within the limit of vibration of the engine on its flexible mounting, a bracket connected to said engine for supporting the flexible shaft in its movement with the vibration of the engine, a driven mechanism on said frame connected to said shaft, and bearings at either end of said shaft connecting it to the driven machine and the engine.

5. In combination, an engine resiliently supported, a frame to support the engine, a flexible shaft fastened to the engine, means to support the shaft on the frame so as'to permit it to move within'the limit of vibration of the engine on its flexible mounting, a bracket connected to said engine for supporting the flexible shaft in its movement with the vibration of the engine, a driven mechanism on said frame connected to said shaft, bearings at either end of said shaft connecting it to the driven machine and the engine, and a protecting and guiding means for said shaft in which the shaft freely rotates, said brackets being connected directly to said armor for the purpose of supporting said shaft.

6. In a power drive device, in combination with a frame, a driven shaft supported by said frame, a motor and motor shaft resiliently supported by said frame, a coupling constituting a spindle removably attached to each shaft for rotation therewith, a flexibleshaft removably attached at each end to a coupling, an armor for said flexible shaft, a bearing on each end of the armor rotatably supporting one of said spindles, and a bracket supporting each end of said armor adjacent each bearing.

7. In a power drive device, in combination with a frame, a driven shaft supported by said frame, a motor and motor shaft resiliently supported by said frame, a coupling constituting a spindle removably attached to each shaft for rotation therewith, a flexible shaft removably attached at each end to a coupling, an armor for said flexible shaft,

, a bearing on each end of the armor rotatably supporting one of said spindles, and a bracket supporting each end of said armor adjacent each bearing, one bracket extending from the frame and the other extending from the motor.

8. In a power drive, a chassis, a power means resiliently supported thereon, a flexible shaft driven thereby, a driven means mounted on said chassis, and a bracket on said chassis supporting said flexible shaft with respect to the driven means.

9. In a power drive, a chassis, a power means resihently supported thereon, a flexible shaft driven thereby, a driven means mounted on said chassis, a bracket on said chassis supporting said flexible shaft with respect to the driven means, and abracket mounted on the power means for supporting the other end of the flexible shaft with respect to the power means.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

ROBERT J. WATERWORTH.

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